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Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

The MAAC Student Advisory Committee was established by the conference to give student-athletes an opportunity to generate a voice within the conference, to solicit student-athlete responses to proposed NCAA legislation, and to discuss issues relating to the welfare of student-athletes.

National SAAC at a Glance

Generate a student-athlete voice within the NCAA structure.

Solicit student-athlete response to proposed NCAA legislation.

Recommend potential NCAA legislation.

Review, react and comment to the governance structure on legislation, activities and subjects of interest.

Actively participate in the administrative process of athletics programs and the NCAA.

Promote a positive student-athlete image.

MAAC SAAC National Representative: Madison Arndt (Manhattan College)

Arndt began her term on July 1, 2016 and will serve through July 1, 2017. Arndt finished third in the pole vault (10’4) at the season-opening Hurricane Invitational on March 21…Placed fourth in the pole vault with a clearance of 10’11¾ at the Lions Invitational on April 25…Won the bronze medal in the pole vault (10’11¾) at the MAAC Outdoor Championships on May 2.

MAAC SAAC in Disney

he Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) hosted its annual Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) fall meeting at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida earlier this month. MAAC Commissioner Richard J. Ensor with the MAAC SAAC, worked with ESPN to create an ESPN Sports Desk filming set where groups of the student-athletes discussed current topics and issues in collegiate athletics.

The forum was split into four groups of five student-athletes and Commissioner Ensor, each discussing various topics. Each segment was emceed by MAAC SAAC Chair, Emily Altier of Niagara University, and Nicole Sandelier of Monmouth University rotating as moderators.

Some of the topics discussed included; time demands on student-athletes, the O’Bannon versus NCAA antitrust verdict, university resources for cost of attendance stipends and student-athlete nutrition, concussion policies, NCAA policies related to transfers and graduation rates, and even parents involvement in their child’s college athletics.

Additionally, the SAAC members attended their legislative meeting, volunteered at Give Kids the World, and attended the Disney Institute program. At Give Kids the World, the student-athletes donated time to serve families of terminally ill children and were given a tour by current employee and former field hockey player at Quinnipiac University, Lauren Zimniski. At the Disney Institute, the student-athletes were given a formal training on differentiating themselves/company from competition and also learned the core values and level of customer service that makes the Disney experience.